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Hi! I wanted to share a quick tip to help you during your newborn session. Newborn sessions are a bit stressful when you’re still in the early stages of learning. This is just a little tip that can take a photo to “ok” to “I got it!” and it’s super easy.

What’s funny about the photos I’m going to use is that this isn’t a newborn, he’s actually 3 months old but the pose is a newborn pose so it still works.

Here I’ve placed him on my newborn poser bag and have slightly padded under his head. I was so fearful of waking him….he had just fallen asleep and I desperately wanted this shot…so I did minimal movements with him.

I kept his diaper on and tried to tuck his knees and cross his ankles but this was as far as they would go with all the bulk. You can still see plenty of back creases so I was happy with it.

The tip is about his little fist in front of his mouth. This was a strong characteristic of little man…hand in the fist…hand in mouth. So I told mom I would take a safe shot and then try to move it. Taking a safe shot is good advice, too. If there’s just one or two little things that you want to change, wait. Take a safe shot, then make those final adjustments. That way if the baby startles while making those movements and wakes up, cries, doesn’t fall back asleep at least you’ve got that safe shot.

All I’ve done here is move his little hand up under his cheek. From doing just this one little change you can now see his full face.

Here’s a good close up of the difference. Now mind you I didn’t quickly pick up his head and cram the hand under. It’s takes a few minutes and several slow precise steps, but be patient you’ll get there!!Now here’s an example from a past newborn session. I had to dig through the archives to find a good one. See what a difference it makes?!

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I was so busy last week that it didn’t even occur to me that my business anniversary was coming up and I missed it!! It’s been 2 whole years since I established by business and 8 months since taking it full-time.

I guess it’s true what they say….time flies when you’re having fun! It has been fun…along with scary, trying, confusing, frustrating, enjoyable, rewarding and a gazillion other things.

Yep, these past two years have been a revolving door of changes. Not only dealing with growth but who I am and what my photography is. Learning where to set goals and how to accomplish them. Finding great online resources and soaking up as much info as possible and trying to determine how to apply that information to my business. Just because something works wonders for one photographer in one area doesn’t mean it will for everyone. I’ve learned the beginning is A LOT of trial and error.

For those clients who have repeatedly used me throughout these years during all this THANK YOU! You have no idea how much I appreciate your loyalty and continued support. I only hope that I’ve given photos and an experience that exceed the previous and make you want to stick around for all the wonderful things that are yet to come!!

If you are a photographer reading this and you’re thinking it’s too hard, there’s too much to learn, you’re not good enough, the business side of photography isn’t fun, and you wondering if you’re making the right decisions….I want you to know that those are all valid and common fears that we all have!! Trust me! I’ve thought all those things. But you can do it! If it’s your passion and you feel drawn to it like nothing else then it will work out, if you work at it!

I have found Jenika over at Psychology for Photographers to be a remarkable source of information. I never miss a post and soak up everything she writes. She’s genuinely wants her readers to succeed and it shows!

The same can be said for Elizabeth over at ElizabethHalford.com Right now she’s teamed up with Lightroompresets.com for a 10 video photography series. If you’re just starting out or thinking about becoming a paid photographer I highly recommend watching the videos. She tells it like it is, in plain english that we all can understand.

I’m nowhere near where I want to be but I feel very confident at this point where I am. I understand nothing happens overnight and although I enjoy my “job” it is still a business and I have to treat it as such with lots of hard work. It’s wonderful knowing its all mine but scary knowing if I don’t do anything nothing will get done.

I’ll end with saying lots of wonderfulness is coming and I’m really excited!! Along with a couple of cute shots of my nephew…well just because he’s so darn cute!

“Did a grasshopper just jump into my camera?” He’s checking it out 🙂 We only have a million grasshoppers in our yard so it was slightly believable!!

Earlier I gave you some info on how print sizes affect image cropping. I also started my push towards 8×12’s, not 8×10’s and 16×24’s not 16×20’s, etc. We need to get out of the rut of choosing 8×10’s. But why would you when all you can find are 8×10 frames on the store shelves??

Maybe someday soon, the stores will keep them in stock.

Right off hand I’m finding that Amazon.com is the quickest, most trusted, and most cost effective site to purchase frames. Just type in whatever size and they’ll got lots of options. Next, for more custom frames I am suggesting TheOrganicBloom.com You can order directly through me and have them shipped to your door! These make such an impact on your walls!!

I’m sure you can use a coupon from Hobby Lobby, Joann’s, Michaels, etc and custom order a frame. I’m just not sure what the price ranges are. If you have any suggestions please leave them in the comment section below!

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We are so accustomed to the 5x7s, 8x10s, and 16x20s that I feel the need to visually show you why these options are no longer the go-to picks.

Without getting too techy on you (for all you none photogs) the simple reasoning is that the newer cameras take photos at a different size ratio than before. So what used to be an 8×10 is now an 8×12. When you choose the standard 8×10 you will lose some of the image due to cropping and I’m left with deciding which part.

Here’s some examples of sizes. (I didn’t go crazy trying to make everything proportionate as far as the comparison between sizes. I was more focused on where the cropping occurs, but I did my best in the time alloted) You may click on the image for a larger view.

If you’ve been struggling with printing off your own photos from your camera wondering why some are cropped different I hope this will help explain. Obviously most of this goes out the window when you’ve cropped the image in post production. When I shoot I tend to crop in camera avoiding the need to crop during post production. It all depends on the photographer. What if, for example, you already have the 8×10 frame but you don’t want a cropped image? I would suggest moving down to a 6×9 and buy a mat to fit the frame. Mats are pretty cheap, especially if you’ve got a Hobby Lobby coupon! If you have any questions or comments leave them below!